- Nationality
Canada- Most Recent Club
- Tigers FC
- Former Clubs
- Cavalry FC, Raith Rovers, Ross County, Valour FC
- National Team Appearances
- South Sudan Men's National Team
- Post-Secondary Teams
- SAIT Trojans, UTRGV Vaquerous
- Birthplace
- Nairobi
William Akio was born in a Nairobi refugee camp to South Sudanese parents and raised in Calgary. From early days with SAIT Trojans to starring at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, William proved his ability to rise to every level. At UTRGV, he earned WAC Offensive Player of the Year (2021) after finishing his collegiate career with 18 goals and 18 assists.
From 2017 to 2019, William played for Calgary Foothills FC in the Premier Development League. His professional breakthrough came with Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League. Across two seasons, William became known for blistering pace, highlight-reel goals, and a viral moment that unexpectedly put him in the international spotlight—when he accidentally blocked his own would-be goal on the line. Rather than shy away, William embraced the lesson: “It was a horrible miss… just got to stay positive and let it pass by,” he said, later breaking it down in a YouTube video that showed both humility and humor. That mindset propelled him abroad. In 2022 he signed a three-year deal with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, where he scored a dramatic debut equalizer against Aberdeen: “Happy to score in my debut match in front of our amazing fans! Thank you God for giving me strength.”
A loan spell at Raith Rovers followed before he returned to Calgary, signing with Cavalry FC in 2023. With Cavalry, William flourished, lifting the 2023 CPL Shield and the 2024 North Star Cup, while his trademark back-flip celebration was voted the league’s Celebration of the Year. Even a season-ending ankle injury in 2024 could not dim his impact, with Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. noting: “He’s one you always have to worry about because he’s got different ways to play.”
Internationally, William debuted for the South Sudan national team in 2022, bringing his relentless energy to the global stage. In early 2025, his career took another turn with a move to Tigers FC in Australia’s NPL, where he continues to write new chapters. William’s journey has been defined as much by character as by goals. From a refugee camp to professional football across three continents, he has consistently turned challenges into fuel. His own words capture his philosophy: “My journey isn’t defined by how long I’ve walked, but by the light I’ve found along the way… Even in the dark shadows, I was guided by purpose.” For fans, William is more than a striker; he’s a reminder of the joy and resilience at the heart of the game.